After two months of steady debrief, special time with family and friends, my mind begins little by little to pick up memories from some of the most significant months of my life. I’ll miss my Arab buddies, Saturday night basketball, and cheap shawarma. Those friendships have steadily carried on even to now. I guess I looked a little like them with a fraction of their facial hair, some dark curls, and not pasty white skin, but little did they know the Lord was working through me to plant ever...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Hope you are doing well. It's been a full and enjoyable week, and I want to share one particularly special moment with you. Apple cider donuts & ice cream Update from the field This past Thursday, my fellow students and I sat down to hear testimonies from last year's students who had just returned from North Africa. After their 90 days of praying, preaching, and singing in the 10-40 window, we listened to their firsthand experiences, asked questions, and received prayer from each...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Somehow I am already halfway through my training phase—how is that even possible? Although I can't slow time down, I can share some of the sweetness that I have experienced these past weeks. Open House Weekend Earlier this month, MAPS hosted an Open House Weekend where people from all over could come experience the school and program first hand. It was a joy to host both my parents and Jess over those days. The time I had with each of them was so precious and timely. Having them...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I hope this letter finds you well. Right now I am almost two months into my gap year and loving it here at MAPS Global in Richmond Virginia. As I look ahead at what God has in store, I am thrilled to give you some context for how I got here, what I am doing, and how you might be a part. How I Got Here As you might know, I just graduated high school, and the Lord has done so much in my heart this past year. This 1min video below summarizes it pretty well: Early last fall, the...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Just over a month into the training phase here at MAPS! I feel like I’ve been here much longer than that, and I’m also thrilled that I have eight more months ahead of me - both of continued training and then outreach. MAPS Update I cannot explain my gratitude and love for this community—this family. From daily corporate prayer, rich and compelling Bible teaching, to “Thankfulness Thursdays,” fall festivals, and camping trips, this training time is far beyond what I even imagined...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, So it begins We made it. My sister Maddie and I arrived last week in Richmond, Virginia, and have jumped right in to the rhythm and routine of this MAPS global family. Roommate took us to a sweet cliff jumping spot. Orientation We have enjoyed getting to meet the other students as well as the staff and community on the missions base. As I write to you, we are at the end of Orientation week and I find myself so expectant for what the Lord is going to do in these next months — not...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, The transition from KC to Richmond has officially begun. Here is a quick update. After three years, I finished up my last day of work at the pizza shop. And now, as I write this, I am on my way to visit my grandma for some quality time before departing to VA at the end of the month. Next week, I will host one final AWAKE Gathering, the youth worship and Bible study I have lead since last Fall. After that, it's all packing and preparing from here. AWAKE Gathering Financial Update...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I hope this letter finds you well. Maybe you are like me and can't believe that summer has flown by and we are in August already! I wanted to share an update with you that is summarized in the 1min video I recorded for you below: Here is the gist. As you might know, I just graduated high school, and the Lord has done so much in my heart this past year. Early last fall, the Lord awakened me, along with my friends, to start a Bible study that we've been doing weekly in my garage....
over 1 year ago • 2 min read